Cabbage and Rice Noodle Salad with Peanut-Lime Dressing

This went with the Banh Mi Meatballs.  It was really good. Large portions.
I would have again.

Cabbage and Rice Noodle Salad with Peanut-Lime Dressing

Photo by ALB

Active Time: 20 Mins
Total Time: 20 Mins
Yield:  Serves 4 (1 1/3 cup)

This bright, Asian-inspired salad makes absolutely no claims to any kind of authenticity except for deliciousness. For those nights when takeout beckons, brown rice noodles, gorgeous, gut-healthy cabbage, crunchy cucumber, and an addictive peanut-lime dressing fill the void for a fraction of the calories. This sturdy salad holds up well in the fridge, so (we know from personal experience) pack it up with a bit of rotisserie chicken for a filling desk lunch.

Ingredients
4 ounces brown rice noodles (such as Annie Chuns or similar)
4 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
1 1/2 cups shaved carrot (about 1 medium)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 cup English cucumber, diced
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup peanut butter (used crunchy)
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 2 small cloves)
2 tablespoons minced shallot (about 1 small)
1 teaspoon Vietnamese-style fish sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
Garnish: 1/4 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts (forgot)
Cilantro 1 lime, cut into wedges

Preparation
Step 1: Cook rice noodles per package instructions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.

Step 2: Combine noodles, cabbage, carrot, cilantro, cucumber, and scallions in a bowl. Toss to combine.

Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, water, garlic, shallot, fish sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and lime zest together until smooth.

Step 4: Add dressing to veggie-noodle mixture and toss until ingredients are coated.

Step 5: Divide into bowls and garnish with peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 240; Fat: 11g; Satfat: 2g; Unsatfat: 8.7; Protein: 7g; Carbohydrate: 29g; Fiber: 4g; Sugars: 5g; Added sugars: 0g; Sodium: 250mg; Calcium: 4% DV; Potassium: 8% DV

6 Smart Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings with no peanuts)